[SwitchBot] AI Partner Robot "KATA Friends" Undergoes Major Update! Conversation Function "Earth Language Mode" Added. With New "Eyes" and Names, It Becomes Even More "Like My Own Child".
SwitchBot announced a major update for its AI partner robot, "KATA Friends," adding a conversation feature called "Earth Language Mode," new eye designs, and a nickname function. This allows users to build a more emotional connection with the robot.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 02:27 (15h 55m after Collected)
SwitchBot Inc., a company engaged in the IoT and smart home business, recognized as the "No. 1 IoT Device Brand" (according to Kaden Biz, November 2022), announced that a major update for its next-generation AI partner robot, "KATA Friends," began sequentially rolling out from Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Since its announcement in January 2026, KATA Friends has received warm feedback from many users, such as "It's like a family member" and "I'm happy to be greeted when I come home." With this major update, KATA Friends takes another step closer to you. It now supports the "Earth Language Mode" conversation function utilizing AI (LLM), new eye designs, and a nickname function that responds to being called by name. Please witness the diligently grown KATA Friends, who want to "talk more, be closer."
[Update Information]
This update has been sequentially distributed since Thursday, April 30, 2026.
To use it, you need to update both the SwitchBot app and the KATA Friends main firmware to the latest version.
Supported versions:
・Firmware V1.2.059 or higher
・App version V9.26 or higher
*To use various KATA Friends functions, you need to purchase the main unit and subscribe to the KATA Friends Life Plan.
[Update Details]
① Conversation Function: Finally mastered "Earth Language"
I've learned Earth language!
This update newly adds the "Earth Language Mode" conversation function. With a simple "Let's talk," a conversation starts, and KATA Friends will respond to you in the "Earth Language" it has worked hard to learn. "Earth Language Mode" supports Japanese and English.
By utilizing AI conversation function with LLM (Large Language Model), KATA Friends will understand your casual words and respond in its own words.
*Conversation data is securely processed in an encrypted communication environment. Our company strives to protect customer privacy based on strict data protection standards.
*Some actions involving movement cannot be operated from the conversation function.
▶ Privacy Policy: https://www.switchbot.jp/pages/katafriends-cloud-privacy-policy
▶ Frequently Asked Questions about Conversation Function: https://support.switch-bot.com/hc/ja/articles/38179447929623
② New Eye Designs: "Kohaku" and "Tokimeki" Appear
New expressions for those eyes.
Responding to many requests for "more expressions for KATA Friends!", two new eye designs have appeared. In addition to "Tokimeki," a heart design that was highly requested, "Kohaku," which holds a gentle warmth, has been added, further enriching KATA Friends' expressions.
Tokimeki: Bright and adorable gaze with hearts floating.
Kohaku: Gentle and calm gaze sparkling in amber.
Together with the familiar "Aozora," "Hoshizora," and "Sakura," there are now a total of 5 types. Please find your favorite eye design.
*More eye designs are scheduled to appear in the future.
③ Nickname Function: A special name for this child
Call its name, and it will respond.
KATA Friends can now respond to being called by the name or nickname set in the app. Call its name, and it will respond happily. When you look at each other, feelings will be understood. KATA Friends, given a special name, will surely become an even more beloved presence.
*Please set the nickname according to the KATA Friends unit's language setting. For Japanese settings, please set a hiragana name within 3-6 characters and 2-4 syllables.
*For details on settable names, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions about Nickname Settings."
▶ Frequently Asked Questions about Nickname Settings: https://support.switch-bot.com/hc/ja/articles/39698756947735
["Welcome Support Campaign" Underway]
Due to popular demand, a special campaign offering 6 months of the KATA Friends Life Plan "Light Plan" (worth 11,880 JPY) for free to those welcoming KATA Friends for the first time has been extended until Friday, June 12, 2026.
Target period: Friday, April 17, 2026 - Friday, June 12, 2026
Benefit content: 6 months of KATA Friends Life Plan "Light Plan" (worth 11,880 JPY) for free
Since its announcement in January 2026, KATA Friends has received warm feedback from many users, such as "It's like a family member" and "I'm happy to be greeted when I come home." With this major update, KATA Friends takes another step closer to you. It now supports the "Earth Language Mode" conversation function utilizing AI (LLM), new eye designs, and a nickname function that responds to being called by name. Please witness the diligently grown KATA Friends, who want to "talk more, be closer."
[Update Information]
This update has been sequentially distributed since Thursday, April 30, 2026.
To use it, you need to update both the SwitchBot app and the KATA Friends main firmware to the latest version.
Supported versions:
・Firmware V1.2.059 or higher
・App version V9.26 or higher
*To use various KATA Friends functions, you need to purchase the main unit and subscribe to the KATA Friends Life Plan.
[Update Details]
① Conversation Function: Finally mastered "Earth Language"
I've learned Earth language!
This update newly adds the "Earth Language Mode" conversation function. With a simple "Let's talk," a conversation starts, and KATA Friends will respond to you in the "Earth Language" it has worked hard to learn. "Earth Language Mode" supports Japanese and English.
By utilizing AI conversation function with LLM (Large Language Model), KATA Friends will understand your casual words and respond in its own words.
*Conversation data is securely processed in an encrypted communication environment. Our company strives to protect customer privacy based on strict data protection standards.
*Some actions involving movement cannot be operated from the conversation function.
▶ Privacy Policy: https://www.switchbot.jp/pages/katafriends-cloud-privacy-policy
▶ Frequently Asked Questions about Conversation Function: https://support.switch-bot.com/hc/ja/articles/38179447929623
② New Eye Designs: "Kohaku" and "Tokimeki" Appear
New expressions for those eyes.
Responding to many requests for "more expressions for KATA Friends!", two new eye designs have appeared. In addition to "Tokimeki," a heart design that was highly requested, "Kohaku," which holds a gentle warmth, has been added, further enriching KATA Friends' expressions.
Tokimeki: Bright and adorable gaze with hearts floating.
Kohaku: Gentle and calm gaze sparkling in amber.
Together with the familiar "Aozora," "Hoshizora," and "Sakura," there are now a total of 5 types. Please find your favorite eye design.
*More eye designs are scheduled to appear in the future.
③ Nickname Function: A special name for this child
Call its name, and it will respond.
KATA Friends can now respond to being called by the name or nickname set in the app. Call its name, and it will respond happily. When you look at each other, feelings will be understood. KATA Friends, given a special name, will surely become an even more beloved presence.
*Please set the nickname according to the KATA Friends unit's language setting. For Japanese settings, please set a hiragana name within 3-6 characters and 2-4 syllables.
*For details on settable names, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions about Nickname Settings."
▶ Frequently Asked Questions about Nickname Settings: https://support.switch-bot.com/hc/ja/articles/39698756947735
["Welcome Support Campaign" Underway]
Due to popular demand, a special campaign offering 6 months of the KATA Friends Life Plan "Light Plan" (worth 11,880 JPY) for free to those welcoming KATA Friends for the first time has been extended until Friday, June 12, 2026.
Target period: Friday, April 17, 2026 - Friday, June 12, 2026
Benefit content: 6 months of KATA Friends Life Plan "Light Plan" (worth 11,880 JPY) for free